Apparatus for forming metal-reinforced composite slabs.



G. H. HARBOUR. APPARATUS FOR FORMING METAL REINFORCED COMPOSITE SLABS.

APPLI(J ATION FILED DEC. 23, 1908.

Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

ZSHEBTS-SHEETL Sx r9 8 N mg m e no N WITNESSES r INVENTOR COLUMBIAFLANOlIRAPH C O WASHINOTON, D. c.

G. H. BARBOUR.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING METAL REINFORCED COMPOSITE .SLABS.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.23,1908.

1 079,?38. Patented Nov. '25, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES INVENTOR COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH COWASHINGTON. D. c.

UNI onnion GEORGE H. BARBOUR, OFPITTSBU'RGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS liCiIRJ FORMING METAL-REINFORCED COMPOSITE SLABS.

Specification of Lette'rslate'nt."

Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

Application filed. December 23, 1908. Serial No. 469,027.

spective view partly in section showing the slab in the mold or pallet;Fig. 3 is a similar perspective viewshowing a pallet formedby stampingor pressing out-of a sheet or plate of metal; Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview showing the grid used in connec-v tion with the pallet in makingone type or form of slab; and Figs..5 and 6 are details,

on a larger scale showing the construction of the rollers on the moldingmachine forn1- ing part of my improved'apparatus.

My invention relates to an apparatus for making composition slabs formedof con-= crete or other plastic materials in which expanded metal, bars,wire mesh or other metal reinforcing members are embedded.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved composition slabhaving metal reinforcement and which may be provided with depressions inone face or in opposite faces of such a depth that wires, nails orstaples for connecting purposes can be driven or forced through withoutendangering or cracking the slab-and to provide an improved apparatusfor manufacturing such slabs from plastic materials by which the slabsare easily and cheaply made and to provide new' and novel apparatuswhereby such slabs are quickly made and formed int the desired shape,section and size.

Another object of the invention is to provide the apparatus withagitating mechanism which is adapted to be operated by hand or by powermeans.

In the drawings, 2 represents the pallet or mold, preferably constructedof metal, in which the plastic materials are placed and which as shownis provided with' ribs-orprojections 3 formed to give to the surface ofone side of the slab the desired contour and 4 is a gridused inconnection'with the pallet'2 for forming'depressions in the other sideofthe slab and to regulate and fix the thickness of the slabs.

The frame 5 of the molding machine is provided with a series ofrollers'6 of peculiar construction secured eccentrically upon theirshafts 7 and the shafts? which are mounted in bearings 8 are providedwith cranks 9 by which they are connected to the arm or connecting lever10. The rollers 6 are provided with annular flanges 11 havingcam-surfaces 11 for a purpose described hereinafter.

On thelongitudinalsides of the frame 5 and at the ends of the rollers 6are the afngles 12, to-the horizontal legs 12 of which the rollerbearings-8 are secured. The leg 12 of these angles extends vertically,its edge 12 forming a curved track for the forming roll 13 by which theplastic materials are spread and are packed into the pallet 2. Theroller 13 is provided with reduced shoulder portions 13 which contactwith the edges 12 of the angles and with handles 13 by which the rolleris moved back and forth above the palletin forming the slabs.

j Whenforming the slabs or blocks by my improved apparatus, a sufiicientquantity of the pallets 2 and grids 4 may be provided to enable theplastic slabs to be dried in place in the pallets before being removed.

L In forming the slabs bythe use of my improvedapparatus, an emptypallet 2 is first placed upon the rollers 6 at one end of the plateorframe 5 or on a roller table leading to theframe. The metal reinforcingmaterial 14 to be embedded in the slabs,

after being cut to'thedesired length and width, is then placed inposition in the pallet. The marginal edges of the metal reinforcingmaterial engage with and rest on the grooves or rabbets in the sides ofthe pallet. The grid 4 is then placed in position on the pallet,-the tosurface of the pallet being provided with suitable recesses 4 for thereception of the projections 4 on the grid 4 to holdthe grid inplace inthe pallet. The pallet or mold 2 is then filled with semi? fluid plasticmaterials such as concrete. The pallet 2 is preferably resting upon thecocentric rollers 6 and these rollers are rocked or rotated by theconnecting rod or arm 10, the arm being manipulated by hand or, whendesired, being connected to a suitable power motor. As the rollers 6 aremoved, either by rocking or rotating, the pallet is moved back and forthon the rollers, the eccentric surfaces of these rollers also alternatelyraising and lowering the pallet. At the same time, the cam surface 11011 the flanges 11 of the rollers will cause the pallet 2 to movesidewise in alternately opposite directions.

By moving the pallet alternately in opposite directions bothlongitudinally and vertically, as well as transversely, the plasticmaterials are shaken and are evenly distributed over the inner surfaceof the pallet. Any excess plastic materials are removed after theshaking operation by means of a suitable scraper. The pallet 2 with itsgrid 4 and the partly completed slab is then moved forward by therollers 6 until it is resting on the-frame 5 beneath the reducedportions 12 of the track for the roller 13. The roller 18 is then causedto pass back and forth over the top of the grid, the weight of theroller resting upon the plastic materials and grid. This operationgradually compacts the plastic materials and brings the slab to thedesired thickness. When the required thickness has been reached, thereduced shoulder portions 13 of the roller 13 will be in engagement withthe low portions of the curved track for this roller and the roller isthen moved along its track until it has been lifted out of engagementwith the grid and slab. After the forming operation is completed, thepallet is removed from the forming machine to the point at which it isdried sufficiently to be handled and be removed from the pallet. Whenthe slab has been formed and removed in its pallet, an empty pallet isthen placed in position on the forming machine or table and the abovedescribed operations are again repeated with successive pallets inmaking the slabs.

Slabs of any length and width and of any desired thickness may be madeby my improved method, the apparatus shown being adapted to make slabsup to such weight as can be easily handled by one man.

Preferably the forming table or frame is placed at a suitable point inthe length of a roller feed table, the rollers of the table on one endof the forming machine supplying the pallet to it, the rollers on theopposite end receiving the pallets contaming the formed slabs anddelivering them to drying racks or other point of disposal.

The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart. By my improved apparatus the composition slabs are easily andcheaply made without the employment of skilled labor. The slabs areformed to an exact thickness and weight. The size of the slabs so formedis constant and waste of materials is thereby avoided and prevented. Theapparatus for forming the slabs is simple and is easily manipulated andkept in repair.

Modifications in the-construction and arrangement of the apparatus andin the size and shape of the slabs may be made without departing from myinvention. The mate rials may be compressed by passing the loaded palletbetween two rollers or by passing it while upon a movable table under afixed roller.

I claim 1. Apparatus for forming composite slabs, comprising a pallet inwhich the materials are shaped while plastic, a pressing devicefor-pressing said materials, mechanism for moving the pallet toward thepressing device and simultaneously moving it up and down to distributethe material therein, said mechanism being adapted to retain the palletin a horizontal plane during such movement, so that the material will beevenly distributed in the pallet; substantially as described.

2. Apparatus for forming composite slabs, comprising a pallet in whichthe materials are shaped while plastic, a pressing device for pressingsaid materials, mechanism for moving the pallet toward the pressingdevice and simultaneously moving the pallet back and forth across saidmechanism and also up and down to distribute the material therein, saidmechanism being adapted to retain the pallet in a horizontal planeduring such movement so that the material will be equally distributed inthe pallet; substantially as described.

8. An apparatus for forming slabs of plastic materials ina palletcomprising a shaking device and a pressing device, said shaking devicehaving a plurality of eccentrically mounted rollers, each of saidrollers having cams for moving the pallet back and forth across saidrollers, and actuating con nections for said rollers, said rollers beingconnected to said actuating mechanism in timed relation so that thepallet will always be maintained in a horizontal position while beingmoved across said rollers toward the pressing device; substantially asdescribed.

4. In apparatus for forming composite endWise and up and down, means foroscil- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set lating said rollers,said rollers being timed my hand. so that the pallet Will always be heldin a horizontal plane in order to equally dis- GEORGE BARBOUR 5 tributethe material placed therein, means Witnesses:

for moving the pallet back and forth across A. F. TIBBETTs,

said rollers; substantially as described. a H. M. CORWIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G.

